Winners announced for the Grand Designs Australia Magazine: House of the Year Awards 2025

The Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards brought to you by Unox Casa, Rylock Windows & Doors and Big Ass Fans have been awarded in a ceremony held on 3rd April at e&s in Chadstone, VIC.

We’d like to congratulate all the winners listed below.

Small Renovation – WON BY Architect George for House in Surry Hills

The judges described House in Surry Hills as an “inventive use of space on a very tight inner-city block” that creates a sense of wonder in a hard, gritty urban environment.

Large Renovation – WON BY Glencairn by Trower Falvo Architects

One of the oldest surviving buildings in the Coburg area, Glencairn is an original bluestone residence that has been thoughtfully renovated to achieve greater connections between spaces as well as the surrounding landscape. The design interventions celebrate the character of the original residence, interweaving building, landscape and place.

Small New Home – We have two WINNERS in this category:

Atelier Chen Hung for Mapleton House

Mapleton House is an intuitive response to the suburban-rural fringe condition in the Blackall Range hinterland. Strategically recessed twin buildings establish visual connections to the prominent natural features of Mt. Ninderry and Mt. Coolum, offering passer-by uninterrupted views from the street and the adjacent public stair. The judges found the trapezium floorplan intriguing and were impressed by the connection to landscape evident in design.

Kennedy Nolan for Six-ways House

Six-Ways House takes its name from the junction in North Fitzroy where the project is located. A complete reimagining of the original 1980’s home, Six-Ways House has been designed to consider every aspect of its location to maximise comfort, natural light and connection to landscape. The judges loved how this design was both contained yet simultaneously public, as well as the use of negative space.

Large New Home – WON BY Architects Ink for Carrickalinga Shed

After purchasing a low-yield dairy farm of 55 acres, the clients behind Carrickalinga Shed camped on the site for a year. Experiencing the extreme weather and seasons, their brief called for a home with views to each peninsula and the sea, as well as a garden protected from the elements. Originally inspired by the 19th century French farmhouse, Architects Ink incorporated elements of Ancient Roman architecture with a modern Australian flair to create a home that is totally self-sustainable with a meaningful connection to its surroundings.

Interiors Specialty Category – WON BY Alcami Architecture for Terrace House Mirage

Inspired by the client’s childhood memories and cultural heritage, Terrace House Mirage blends Spanish and Arabic traditions with Australian elements, creating a rich, layered environment and transforming the space into a functional and culturally resonant home. The judges were impressed by the material selection for this project, as well as the fusion of styling.

 

Energy Efficiency Specialty – We have two WINNERS in this category:

Architects Ink for Carrickalinga Shed

Carrickalinga Shed is a reimagining of an Australian farmhouse that operates at 99% self-sustained efficiency, with climate and sense of place at the forefront of all design choices.

CPlusC Architects + Builders for Holocene House

Holocene House earned Australia’s first Active House certification in 2023, combining energy efficiency with user comfort. As well as the impressive credentials, the judges commended this project for its sense of joy.

People’s Choice – WON BY Archier for The Boulevard

The Boulevard takes advantage of its proximity to the beautiful Yarra Flats parklands, and is designed to nurture a family of three children as their needs evolve. The judges loved how the sunken house design allows visual connections with the Yarra and a seamless connection to nature.

The standard this year has been incredibly high and is reflective of the talent across the field of residential architecture.

We thank our Chief Judge Anthony Burke, who helped develop a robust program of considerations and recruited a panel of professionals to assist with the judging. Grand Designs Australia magazine would like to extend our thanks to both Anthony and the judging panel: Ann Lau, Hayball; Claire McCaughan, Custom Mad; and Jasmin Williamson, Wardle Studio.

The Grand Designs Australia Magazine House of the Year Awards proudly puts the spotlight on residential architecture. We also take the shortlisted projects and showcase them to a community of prospective future clients who want to learn who is doing what in this arena.

This year, the Showcase Shortlist activation delivered more than 2 million touchpoints to that community and received over 126,000 engagements. One of those prospective future clients was lucky enough to win a Haiku L ceiling fan donated by Big Ass Fans.

Programs like the Grand Designs Australia House of the Year come together with the considerable support of the business community that supplies the architectural industry. We are pleased to be working with our sponsors and trade partners listed below:

Gold Sponsor | Unox Casa

Silver Sponsor | Rylock Windows and Doors

Bronze Sponsor | Big Ass Fans

Trade Partners | Durra Panel, Koda Lighting, NexGEN Decking, PlaceIT